[Ready2Transform]

Since many of us are facing the need to gain job skills as we are suddenly thrust back into the workforce to make ends meet, I thought this might be a good place to share resources. For those of us with small businesses, we can do a little networking and see how we can help keep each other afloat while we navigate these waters.

For those looking for new technical or coding skills, http://skillcrush.com/ looks really interesting. There are free resources, but also some courses with fees. I'm not affiliated in any way and get no kickback from sharing it.

http://www.lynda.com also has great courses, but it also comes with a monthly or yearly fee.

On the networking end, I am a multimedia creator and content marketing consultant.  I love attending Twitter chat events because it's a great way to be a shut-in and make new contacts. My new favorite is #InfluencerChat on Tuesdays at 8pm eastern time for anyone wanting to learn more about marketing (next one s 7/21). Will gladly update with more opportunities for biz learning if there's interest.

[Anjae]

Coursera has technical, coding and business related courses. They are free, but now some only give a signature (paid) certificate. https://www.coursera.org/

Home and Learn also offers free computer courses, mostly for beginners.  http://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/

Code Academy is also free http://www.codecademy.com/

[patience.of.a.saint]

I am a small biz owner and would love more info. I paint and sell vintage furniture, so it's pretty much a local thing due to size, but would love to read about any marketing and social media type ideas you find.

[Ready2Transform]

How awesome, Patience! Do you ever use Etsy to list items?

[patience.of.a.saint]

No, I haven't. I'm not sure how I'd arrange shipping. Mostly, I list things on craigslist and FB to sell by appointment and then once a month, I have my shop open for walk in customers. I also do some custom work, which has all been by word of mouth.

[Ready2Transform]

Right on. Briefly Hoss and I had an Etsy shop between 2009-2011 and I think there were some local seller options, but I have no clue what it's like now. Mainly sold small vintage things, so shipping wasn't an issue. But I was going to find some Etsy-specific marketing tips if you did use it!

[patience.of.a.saint]

Etsy has gone to allowing more manufactured items so I think it has gone downhill a little from its' heyday. I've thought about selling some of my smaller vintage items on there, but with the time involved and the fees, I think it's more profitable to just sell out of my shop. I could put things on my website too, but that is a lot of putzing with shopping cart buttons so I have not done that either. My main business is the furniture.

What do you know about Instagram? My fellow business owners down the block from me mentioned trying it, but when I looked it didn't seem like there was anything more than pics...and those darn hashtags.

[Ready2Transform]

Makes sense on focusing on where you're already having success! Sad about Etsy. It used to be so cool. But things change (I'm holding off saying, "It is what it is."  )

I am not an Instagram expert. Twitter, I'm getting way more comfortable with, and I use YouTube a lot, but like you I have heard a lot of the buzz that Instagram is the next big tool for business. Will keep my eyes open for anything relating to furniture sellers and success stories for Instagram, and pass them along!